Arrived on this date at 20:00. Had Put Back in file IA-41, no reasons given. Departed on 13.07.73 at 09:15.

20.06.73

P. PA-31 Navajo 310

Fa. Lahn-Flug W. Otto GmbH

D-ILFG

One of 27 aircraft from the Dusseldorf Flying Club. Group was on a rally, known as Sport Flug Marl 1973 visiting Mediterranean countries. Pilot injured his foot as he was climbing into the aircraft at Obeia, Sardinia. He was taken to hospital on landing at Luqa in the above aircraft. (For a list of this rally’s participants, visit the newly created Air Events page under the Air Show menu. .)

21.06.73

HS Trident III

B.E.A.

G-AWZO

c/s BEKM306. Landed at 16:30. Should have left at 17:30. Put Back 19:05. Departure date/time crossed out, replaced by 24th, 23:00.

23.06.73

F.28

Aviaction

D-AHLB

Aircraft landed at 21:40, supposed to leave at 22:50. Note in files state “put Back 24th, 12:05”.

23.06.73

HS Trident III

B.E.A.

G-AWZL

c/s BEKM322. Arrived from Birmingham at 07:20, departing at 09:15. Eventually left at 12:30.

07.08.73

Cessna 170

&nbsp

N3458D

Aircraft left MIACO at Hal-Far for Luqa, crashing during landing at Luqa.

29.09.73

Cessna 412

&nbsp

DE-FIR

Hi-jacked on a Palermo – Luqa flight. Hi-jackers changed their minds and went to another destination.

26.11.73

B.747

K.L.M.

PH-BUA

Aircraft hi-jacked and diverted to Malta. No deaths/injuries. First B.747 to land at Luqa airport. See report about this hijack below.

KLM hi-jack – accident report The following article was taken from the Oct/Nov 1973 edition of Take-Off.Since all the local news media and other publications gave their version of the saga of the hi-jacked Boeing 747 at Luqa, it would be very unfitting if our association did not present its own version of the event.Monday, 26th November.Three of our members who are always on the alert – pardon the expression – were at Luqa at about 17.30, some twenty minutes before touchdown of the Jumbo, seeking the best positions to observe the landing. Confirmation that the Jumbo was to land at Luqa came at about 16.30, when the captain asked for permission to land. Details of the runway in use, serviceability’s etc, were given, but the “go-ahead” came at about 16.40. The captain announced that he had fuel for 60 minutes plus, and the aircraft was held over the MLG (Gozo) Beacon at 20,000 feet to burn off fuel. The main runway 24/06 is only 7,800 feet in length, and there was some anxiety as to whether the Jumbo would make a safe landing. Fortunately, the pilot made a perfect landing on runway 24 at 17.50. The amount of runway used was just over 5,500 feet. A remarkable achievement on behalf of the pilot and crew. The Jumbo taxied onto runway 32, opposite the civil terminal and shut down its engines. Immediately, members’ cameras staring flashing and clicking, but very few photos came out properly as the nose wheel landing light nearly ruined all of them. A few good shots were taken only when the refueling bowsers approached the aircraft. Negotiations were started between the control tower and the pilot, who asked for a B.747 engineer (who was unavailable, as Malta is not equipped to service such a large aircraft) plus 25 Quarts of oil, and 27,000 US gallons of fuel. All personnel and vehicles were instructed by the hi-jackers approach from the front of the aircraft, within the beam of light. Attempts to refuel the aircraft were hampered from the start, because of a lack of trickie long enough to reach the refueling points. The hi-jackers then asked for a KLM official and a diplomat in exchange for the 247 passengers. As no KLM official was in Malta, a DC-9 had to come from Palermo. It landed at 20.45, and parked on the northern taxiway, adjacent to Park 4. The Prime Minister, Mr. Dom Mintoff, arrived at the Luqa Tower just after 22.00 hours, and immediately began negotiations with the hi-jackers, through their interpreter. After lengthy negotiations, it was agreed that when half of the required fuel was delivered, the KLM official would go onboard the aircraft, and half of the passengers would be released. The remaining passengers would be released as soon as all the fuel had been supplied. It was stated that it would be suicide to attempt to take-off with the fuel and passengers. Tuesday, 27th November.After a long night of negotiations and mistrust, the required fuel was delivered and the passengers released, using the emergency chute as no gangway long enough was available. The release of the 8 hostesses was more difficult to obtain, but they were released after lengthy discussions as a sign of gratitude from the hi-jackers for Mr. Mintoff’s co-operation. At about 07.00 hours, the Jumbo started its engines, made a U-turn on runway 32 and taxied onto the threshold of runway 24. Whilst awaiting clearance for take-off, the tower informed the pilot that one of the nose-wheels was in a dangerous state. Nevertheless, at 07.05 the take off run was begun, and after rolling for about 5,500 feet, an uneventful take-off was accomplished, thus ending 15 hours of hard bargaining and suspense. After leaving Malta, KLM861 landed at Dubai at about mid-day, took off again but had to return, when no other country gave it to permission to land. The hi-jackers gave themselves up after acquiring assurances of safe conduct out of the country.

DATE

AIRCRAFT

OPERATOR

REG.

NOTES

28.01.74

Piper PA-23

&nbsp

&nbsp

Aircraft departed Ciampino Airport for Malta. Pilot sent a Mayday message near the Island of Ponza, stating the aircraft was on fire, at an 800-foot altitude. Aircraft crashed 50 miles west of Naples at around 20.00hrs. Three US nationals missing.

08.03.74

Cessna 172F

&nbsp

G-ASVU

This aircraft, described as damaged, was airlifted to Malta on board an RAF Belfast from RAF Akrotiri, arriving at 12:00. It was transported to Hal-Far on the 20th. It was last registered to the Secretary, The Parachute Regiment, and had been cancelled as permanently withdrawn from use on 13.11.73.

28.03.74

CL-44

Tradwewinds

G-AWGS

Aircraft had arrived the previous day at 19:30, departing at 12:05. Destination listed as “Probably Tripoli” (Note in Custom files states that the pilot failed to obtain clearance outwards.

28.03.74

CL-44

Tradwewinds

G-AWDK

Aircraft had arrived the previous day at 22:22, departing at 12:45. Destination listed as “Probably Tripoli” (Note in Custom files states that the pilot failed to obtain clearance outwards.

11.09.74

Beech 80

Aircraft Facilities Inc.

N7326R

Aircraft was on delivery, having arrived the previous day at 16:30. Eventually departed on the 14th at 07:00.

11.09.74

Beech 80

Aircraft Facilities Inc.

N7327

As above.

22.10.74

Cessna 182

World Air Ltd.

N5886G

Landed at 23:45, arriving from Luton. Departure at 17:50 put back to the 26th at 08:30

23.10.74

Cessna 180

World Air

N52070

Arrived from Cagliari at 15:15. Meant to depart to Benghazi same day at 17:50. Note in Custom file IA-44: Put back 24th 00:30, left 26-10-74 08:30.

31.12.74

FH.227

Stellair

LN-KAA

Departed at 03:30. Note in Custom file IA-45 states “Put Back, turned back on reaching Tangier due to engine trouble.”

14.01.75

DC-10-30CF

O.N.A.

N1032F

Diverted due to bad weather on a Mecca-Tunis flight. c/s TU5076, landed at 02:45, departing at 13:05.

03.02.75

?

Piper Aircraft Inc

N44288

Aircraft had arrived the previous day at 20:15 from Tripoli, and scheduled to depart for Tunis at 17:00. Put Back for unknown reasons, leaving on the 5th at 09:30.

24.02.75

B.212

Irish Helicopters Ltd.

EI-BAM

Helicopter arrived from Ireland on this date at 13:20, destination Glomar North Sea (an oil rig?). Departure date 25th at 09:30 crossed out, no reason given. Departed on the 26th at 15:20.

11.05.75

HS Trident III

British A/Ws

G-AWZB

Landed at 16:00, to depart at 16:55. Put back 13th 05:05.

25.03.76

Trident

B.A.

G-AWZL

Landed at 15:00, scheduled to depart at 16:10. Put Back at 17:15. Departed on 26 16:00.

22.06.75

B. 727

L.A.A.

5A-DAI

Aircraft landed at 20:40. Departed on the 23rd at unknown time. Mystere 5A-DAF also arrived on 23.06.75 between 02:30-02:45, but not necessarily in connection with the B.727.

03.05.75

BAC 111

Air Malta

G-AYOP

Aircraft on lease to Air Malta. Damaged tyre on take-off from Paris, but landed safely at Luqa. Engine needed to be changed, spare engine being brought over by a British Air Ferries Carvair, G-ASDC, “Plain Jane”.

09.11.75

185

Transavia Int.

C-GGNN

Landed from Clermont at 18:00. Departed on the 20th at 02:30 for Cairo. No reason for such a lengthy stay.

09.11.75

185

Transavia Int.

C-GGVT

As above.

01.02.76

L. C-130

Saturn Airways

&nbsp

Aircraft hit a lighting pole at Luqa Airport.

08.03.76

Ce. 182

Africair Miami

N4946R

Aircraft on delivery, landed from Valencia on the 7th at 17:35. Departure on the above date at 07:50 cancelled for unknown reasons, left on the 9th.

25.03.76

HS Trident

B.A.

G-AWZL

Landed at 15:00, scheduled to depart at 16:10. Note in Custom files had “Put Back at 17:15”. Departed on the 26th at 16:00.

06.05.76

FH.227

Stellar

LN-KAA

Aircraft had arrived from Egypt the previous day, scheduled to depart for Monastir, Tunis at 14:10. Unknown delay, departed on the 7th.

14.09.76

B. 727

Ar Malta

N692WA

Originally to depart for Rome at 09:20. Note in IA-52: Put back 10:00hrs depart 15/09 21:35. Destination Rome crossed out, to Tripoli. Same day return at 24:00 as KM117.

23.09.76

DR400/180

Club Aero Belgais

F-BVMC

Aircraft arrived on the 19th at 17:55, scheduled to depart on the 20th at 13:15. Had Put Back in file IA-52, with departure date & time crossed. Departed on this day at 10:15. c/n 955.

13.04.77

P. Aztec

&nbsp

G-ATBV

Returned shortly after departure with unspecified engine trouble. Date of first arrival, and eventual departure unknown.

21.08.77

&nbsp

&nbsp

&nbsp

A strike of Air Traffic Controllers at London's Heathrow Airport, coupled with bad weather over Rome, caused delays at Luqa Airport of up to 12 hours.

__.10.77

B.707

Kuwaiti Airways

&nbsp

Aircraft inbound for runway 14, Luqa Airport. Pilot mistook Ta’ Qali airfield for Luqa, and came close to landing there before the crew realized their mistake. (NOTE: Ta’ Qali is roughly 4-5 miles from the approach to runway 14 – today re-designated 13 – and slightly to the left of Ta’ Qali. Similar incident on 04.05.80. The airfield has nowadays been substantially altered, and there is no chance of this kind of accident happening again today.)

14.11.77

B.720

PIA

AP-ATQ

Aircraft suffered "nose wheel problem” during pilot training, and making an emergency landing at Luqa on the main wheels. Two Pakistani instructors and three Air Malta trainees suffered injuries.

DATE

AIRCRAFT

OPERATOR

REG.

NOTES

19.12.77

DC-4

&nbsp

N88887

Aircraft landed at Hal-Far with one engine shtdown, and lightning strike damage on the prot side of the nose. It s not clear from the report whether the damage occurred on the flight into Malta on the 18th, or on the short hop from Luqa to Hal-Far.

16-17.01.78

P. Cherokee Six

&nbsp

9H-AAI

Winds gusting up to 60 knots per hour moved Cv. 880 N48062 against 9H-AAI, damaging it. Cherokee shipped to UK for repairs, eventually returning on 21.06.78.

16-17.01.78

B. 720

Air Malta

AP-AMG

Winds gusting up to 60 knots per hour moved passenger steps against the aircraft, causing some slight damage.

12.01.78

Boeing 737

&nbsp

&nbsp

Aircraft, belonging to a Tunisian airline, hi-jacked over the Mediterranean, was refused permission to land in Malta.